Empower disadvantaged girls in Indian slums

OSCAR Foundation’s BULAND program offers a wholesome learning experience for all participants. The program encompasses four elements, social and emotional learning,  understanding gender equity, financial literacy and digital literacy. The course aims to prepare the group for the workplace. Forty participants, between 15-24, from underserved communities form the BULAND batch. Sessions are held fortnightly at OSCAR's office.

The Social Emotional Learning (SEL) element of the program is crucial and educates young adults by helping them understand emotional resilience and building self-esteem. OSCAR aims at equipping them with 21st century skills and includes 'soft skills’, to ensure the program has a holistic approach. Participants are able to acknowledge their emotions, communicate with peers and seek support when needed.

Furthermore, the participants engage in conversations around financial literacy, learning about ways of saving, investing and budgeting safely. They are informed about government facilities and aids they can access to reduce their expenses.

The sessions are highly insightful and reflective. The group interacts with youth from different parts of the city and it provides an amazing opportunity for networking. They aspire to be confident and responsible professionals and implement the learning from BULAND in their professional and personal lives.

“I feel safe and comforted here in the space with my fellow classmates. This is the place where I get to share and talk about things I can’t speak of elsewhere. I feel much more confident and I love attending BULAND sessions.” Anushka

The OSCAR Foundation organised a five-day residential #kicklikeagirl Young Leader training for 30 adolescent girls from low-income communities across Mumbai. The girls shared a love of football and all very eager to learn. The programme helped them understand the concept of Sport for Development (S4D) and taught football techniques. Furthermore, it provided crucial training for aspiring coaches, including first aid, ground rules and pitch regulations. The girls studied the Child Protection Policy, ground safety precautions and child safeguarding. This is just the beginning for these girls, learning will continue as they assist the OSCAR coaches on the ground.

Komal (19) a resident of Cuffe Parade was an attendee of the training. She's currently studying for a degree in commerce. She was born with a bowed leg and grew up with low self-esteem and was hesitant to participate in extracurricular activities.

Komal is an outstanding participant of the programme. She enthusiastically engaged in all the sessions, she was a contemplative and serious participant. She was inspired to facilitate the same programme in her community for over 80 younger beneficiaries. She wants to bring football culture to the community and actively include young girls in it.

“I always pulled myself back when it came to sports. I felt I couldn't play because of my leg. #kicklikeagirl training gave me the confidence to participate in football and not allow my condition to be a barrier. It cannot stop me from playing football or doing what I really want to”. 

As Komal shares her vision to mobilize young girls in the community and introduce them to football, she also wants to initiate conversation around challenging the gender norms and encourage the girls to be vocal. She is now a confident young girl who wants people to realise a disability need not be a barrier and anyone who believes in themselves can definitely succeed.